English
National -
Nottinghamshire Champion and North of England Champs fifth placer Blue Haywood
(Lincoln Wellington AC) could well be the smallest National Gold medallist in
history, according to seasoned officials in the finishing funnels. Her assertion
that she is 4ft 8in tall – “I
measured myself with a tape” – looks like a bit of a tall story. But few
bigger hearts have conquered as tough a course as this little cookie. “I think
it’s amazing because I’ve never beaten several of these girls before,”
she said after blazing such a trail that she led by 40m within the first
kilometre and built an 11-second victory margin.

Blue,
became her home county’s first-ever winner in this age group in the most
positive manner possible. She led throughout the 3km race over tough hills and
through clinging mud, and summed-up her success perfectly. The Nottinghamshire
Champion explained that she improved from fifth place in the North of England
Championships in January to become National Champion because“I
tried to warm-up on my own. If I warm-up with my mates, I don’t do it
properly.” Her performance thrilled her coach,
Dave Humberstone, who said: “Her attitude is
second to none. She is there every training night. She is always willing to do
that extra little bit. She always has a smile on her face. It’s great for the
other children to see what she can do.”

Pre-race:
Nottingham: Blue
Haywood (322), who
front-ran her way to victory at the English
National a fortnight ago, is third in the Reebok Cross Challenge standings
with 58 points. She has improved through this season from ninth at Liverpool
to second at
Cardiff – and
then proved uncatchable over the hills of Leeds.